News archive

September 2011

Aston Martin to show two new Carbon Editions in Frankfurt

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(September 12, 2011) — Aston Martin will premiere two new Carbon Edition DBS sports cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week.

Following on from the success of the DBS Carbon Black, introduced in 2009, the 2012 DBS Carbon Edition will be available in two new colors including Flame Orange and Ceramic Grey together with the existing Carbon Black. For complete coverage of the show click here.

Nissan GT-R wins 11-car Motor Trend drag race

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(September 12, 2011) Eleven of the world's most desirable cars lined up side-by-side.  Legendary marques and iconic nameplates — Porsche 911, Corvette Z06, Ford Mustang Boss 302, Ferrari 458 Italia and Audi R8 GT — assembled by the editors of Motor Trend for an informal, bragging rights-only drag race as a sidebar to its 2011 Best Driver's Car award, announced on motortrend.com today.  Eleven cars, one shot, one winner: the Nissan GT-R.

Bentley's global sales up 31 percent; new convertible unveiled this week

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(September 12, 2011) FRANKFURT, Germany — The world premiere of the new Continental GTC convertible at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week comes as Bentley’s sales rebound across the globe.

Despite recent economic uncertainty, sales have increased 31 percent year-on-year in major markets, demonstrating the increased interest in the new Bentley model range. Bentley delivered 4,016 cars through August, and Chinese sales exceeded 1,000 for the first time.

GM opens new diesel engine plant in Thailand

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(September 12, 2011) RAYONG, Thailand — General Motors last week opened a new state-of-the-art diesel engine plant in Rayong, Thailand. The $200 million facility, which is adjacent to the automaker’s vehicle manufacturing plant, represents GM’s most significant powertrain investment in Southeast Asia.

The new 178,000-square-foot facility, GM’s first diesel engine plant in the region, is the first-in-the-world to produce the all-new family of Duramax four-cylinder diesel engines.

Subaru recalls Outback, Legacy vehicles over wiper issue

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(September 12, 2011) Subaru is recalling certain Outback and Legacy cars from the 2010 and 2011 model years because of potential problems with their windshield wipers.

In a document filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the car maker, a unit of Fuji Heavy Industries, said the recall affects about 195,0080 vehicles built from Jan. 7, 2010, through May 20, 2011.

First CNG-powered Ford Transit Connect taxis in Los Angeles

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(September 11, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — California’s first compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered Ford Transit Connect Taxis hit the greater Los Angeles area today, giving taxi owners, drivers and passengers a chance to help the environment one small trip at a time.

California Yellow Cab of Orange County put its first 10 Transit Connect Taxis into service – marked by an event celebrating the increased presence of CNG use in California. Clean Energy, which owns and operates CNG filling stations, also participated in the event.

Science of sound saves Chevy Equinox owners at the pump

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(September 11, 2011) DETROIT — General Motors engineers borrowed from stereo headphone technology to help give the Chevrolet Equinox segment-leading fuel economy.

Noise and Vibration Development Engineer Jim Vallance and his colleagues at GM’s Milford Proving Ground were tasked with pushing the 2011 Equinox to get 32 mpg on the highway, four mpg better than segment competitors Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape — all rated at 28 mpg.

Mitsubishi announces price increase for 2012 electric vehicle

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(September 10, 2011) CYPRESS, Calif. — Due to unforeseen changes in market conditions, Mitsubishi Motors North America has decided to make a pricing adjustment of $1,135 to the 2012 Mitsubishi i 100% electric-powered vehicle.

Volkswagen car sales continue to grow worldwide

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(September 10, 2011) WOLFSBURG — The sale of Volkswagen cars reached more than 3.34 million worldwide from January through August, a 12.1 percent increase over 2010, Volkswagen reported on Friday.

For August, the brand delivered 389,500 cars, a 9.5 percent gain over August 2010.

New British company to reveal 620-horsepower SUV

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(September 10, 2011) LONDON — A new British car company, Eterniti Motors, has released full images of the prototype of its first model, which will be shown at next week’s Frankfurt International Motor Show.

The Hemera, called the world’s first Super-SUV, will bring new levels of luxury and performance to the SUV segment when production starts in 2012. Hand-built in London, it will feature a limousine-like rear cabin, including twin electric reclining seats, iPads and a drinks chiller, giving customers the option of being chauffeured as well as driving.